Common Questions: Getting Food Stamps (SNAP) in Illinois

Common Questions: Getting Food Stamps (SNAP) in Illinois

Last updated: November 2013

1. What is a LINK Card?

When you are approved for SNAP benefits, you receive a LINK card (which looks like a credit card). On a certain day each month, your SNAP benefits are automatically put on the card. The head of household can then use the card at a grocery store to buy food. The LINK card works just like a credit card or ATM card.

If you receive cash benefits as well as SNAP benefits, your cash benefits will also be placed on the LINK card.

When you get a LINK card you should choose a personal identification number (PIN). The PIN is required when you use the card. You should never let anyone else know your PIN number.

If your card is lost or stolen, your benefits cannot be used unless the thief also knows your PIN number. You should never write your PIN number on your card, or on the sleeve that is given to you to keep your card from getting damaged. If it is written on the card, your food benefits (and your cash if you receive it) can easily be stolen. If that happens, the benefits will not be replaced by IDHS.

2. What can I buy with SNAP benefits?

The SNAP allowance can be used to:

Buy most food that you find at a grocery store

Buy food at a farmer's market

Pay for meals provided by the Meals-on-Wheels program

You cannot use SNAP benefits to buy:

Prepared foods from a grocery store

Alcohol

Tobacco

Soap

Paper products

Pet food

Other nonfood items

If you break these rules, there are strict penalties. See "Related Articles" tab for further information.

To learn more about where you can use SNAP benefits to pay for food and what you can buy with SNAP benefits, see Eligible Food Items.

3. Who can get SNAP benefits?

Anyone who meets the income requirements can get SNAP benefits, but there are some exceptions. You cannot get SNAP benefits if:

You have an intentional program violation on your record

You are living in a hospital, jail, or other place where meals are provided

You are on strike

You were convicted of a drug felony on or after August 22, 1996

You do not meet asset requirements

You are an undocumented immigrant

If you are a legal immigrant you might qualify for benefits. To learn more, see the information under the "Related Articles" tab.

4. How can I figure out if I can get SNAP benefits?

Go to the Illinois Department of Human Services' SNAP calculator to see if you might be eligible for SNAP benefits and to get an idea of the amount of benefits you might receive.

5. How can I apply for SNAP benefits?

After you file the form online, a letter scheduling an interview will be mailed to you. Most interviews are done in person, but can be done by telephone if you are homebound.

At your interview, or soon after, you will need to provide DHS with written information about your income, assets, and expenses by giving them copies of pay check stubs, utility bills, rent receipts, and so on.

You can also get an application at your local Department of Human Services (DHS) office.

If you get an application at your local DHS office, you do not have to fill out the application at the office; you can take it home.

Once you fill out and sign the application you can:

- Mail the application to the DHS office

- Fax the application to the DHS office

- Take the application back to the DHS office

After they get your application, the DHS will interview you. Most interviews are done in person, but can be done by telephone if you are homebound.

At your interview, or soon after, you will need to provide DHS with written information about your income, assets, and expenses by giving them copies of pay check stubs, utility bills, rent receipts, and so on.

6. Do I have to go to a specific DHS office?

You have the right to go to any DHS office you choose.

7. What is a "SNAP unit"?

A SNAP unit is the group of people who need to be provided with money to buy food. The size of the SNAP unit helps DHS determines how much money you should get. The unit can include one or more people. A SNAP unit can be:

A person of any age who lives alone;

A person who lives with others, but buys and makes his or her own food;

A group of people who live together and buy and make their food together. A good example of this is a traditional family.

Some Qualifying Members may be considered two separate SNAP units even though their food is bought and made with the other people they live with. Check with your local DHS office if you think this could apply to you.

8. What is a "Qualifying Member"?

You are a Qualifying Member for the SNAP program if you:

Are 60 years old or over;

or,

Receive SSI, SSDI, Veteran's Benefits, or some other state and or federal disability payments.

9. When will I know if I am approved for SNAP benefits?

DHS has up to 30 days to process your application. You will get a letter telling you if you have or have not been approved to receive SNAP money. If you are approved, you will be told the amount of monthly SNAP allowance you will receive.

In some cases, you may need to get an answer sooner. You can apply for "expedited" SNAP benefits. Expedited SNAP benefits are a way to get food benefits faster.

For more information, see the "Related Articles" tab.

10. What can I do if I am denied SNAP benefits or do not think I am getting the correct amount?

If you are denied benefits or you do not think you are getting the right amount of money, you have 90 days to file an appeal. You may also appeal if there is a delay processing your SNAP benefit or application.

For more information see the "Related Articles" tab.

11. How much money can I make and still get SNAP benefits?

The amount of money you can make and still get SNAP benefits depends on the size of your SNAP Unit, and whether anyone in your household is a Qualifying Member.

Illinois Department of Human Services uses your total income to determine if you are entitled to SNAP. Total, or gross, income is the amount of money you make from all sources before taxes are taken out of your pay. If you pay any child support, you can deduct (subtract) that from your gross income.

For example, if you work 20 hours per week earning $8.00 per hour and you are the only person in your household working, then the gross income of your household is $160.00 per week.

However, if anyone else in your household is a Qualifying Member, then your gross income does not matter.

Note: Some assets do not count at all toward the asset limit. These are called "exempt" assets. Common examples of exempt assets are the home that you live in, clothing, household furnishings, and one car.

13. Who do I have to include in my SNAP Unit or household?

You must include:

Your spouse that lives with you;

Anyone under age 18 who is under the control of an adult SNAP Unit member, even if that adult is not his or her parent. You must count this person under age 18 even if he or she and the adult eat separately;

Any parent and their child under age 22. It is possible to live in the same house and be considered a separate SNAP Unit from your child, but only if you are living in totally separate apartments with no shared living space. For example, if the child is living in a completely separate apartment in the basement of the parents’ home. The apartment must have its own kitchen, bathroom, etc. In some situations, college student household members may be excluded from the SNAP Unit.

14. Can I get more SNAP benefits for my SNAP unit?

Sometimes you can increase the amount of SNAP money available to your SNAP Unit by making some simple changes such as:

If you live with others and they buy and prepare their food separately, they are usually considered a separate SNAP Unit. If you are treated as separate SNAP Units, you will get more SNAP benefits than if everyone is combined into one unit;

If you or your spouse are age 60 or older and cannot buy and prepare food due to a serious disability and any other people you live with have income which is below certain limits set by the Illinois Department of Human Services, you can be considered separate SNAP Units.

15. What else should I think about when applying for SNAP benefits?

You may choose to include any foster children in your SNAP case;

You may qualify for more SNAP benefits if you pay for childcare while you work or attend an employment training program;

If you are disabled or elderly, you may qualify for more SNAP benefits if you pay for medicines, have other medical expenses, or are having your Social Security benefits reduced to pay for Medicare.

16. Can I get SNAP benefits if I'm not working?

Yes. There is no general work requirement until at least September 30, 2014. But, some people must do SNAP Employment and Training (this includes Cook County). Some healthy adults must do the Earnfare program (this is not in Cook County, but other Illinois counties). You could lose your benefits if you are required to participate in a program and you do not.

17. Once I start getting SNAP benefits, do I need to report anything to DHS?

You need to report any change that could affect your SNAP eligibility or the amount of SNAP that you receive within 10 days of the date of the change.

For example, you must report:

Changes (up or down) in your income of more than $100 a month, or unearned income of $50 a month. Some SNAP Units are placed into EZ reporting and only need to report a change if their income goes above 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. You do not have to report changes in your cash benefits paid by DHS;

People who move in or out of the SNAP Unit, including new babies. List names, birthdates, Social Security Numbers, and income;

18. What happens if I do not report a change?

If you do not report a change that would have reduced or ended your participation in the SNAP program, you could be charged with an overpayment. Even worse, you could be charged with an Intentional Program Violation.

For more information, see the "Related Articles" tab.

19. If I am approved for SNAP benefits, how much will I get?

The amount of SNAP benefits that you will get depends on the number of people in your SNAP Unit, your income, and your expenses. You can get a general idea of what your SNAP level might be by completing the SNAP calculator. Please note this is simply a tool for you to use to figure out if you might be able to get SNAP benefits and how much you might get. It is not an application for SNAP benefits.

The chart below shows the highest amount of money your SNAP Unit can receive each month as of November 1, 2013:

Number of People in Household Maximum Monthly Food Stamp Amount

1 person $189

2 people $347

3 people $497

4 people $632

5 people $793

6 people $750

7 people $900

8 people $1,137

9 people $1,279

10 people $1,421

Add $142 for each additional member.

20. What should I do if I am broke and I need SNAP benefits now in order to eat?

You should apply for "expedited" SNAP benefits. Expedited means that the person reviewing the application will look at it sooner than usual. If you are eligible for SNAP under this program, the benefits will be available to you no later than five calendar days after you apply for the benefits. A person can get expedited SNAP benefits in one of three ways:

Your monthly income and any assets are less than your monthly rent or mortgage payment and utility bills;

You have less than $100 in the bank and your monthly income is less than $150;

You have less than $100 in the bank and you are a migrant who is not expecting to make more than $25 in the next 10 days after you apply for SNAP benefits.